Surveyed by Energyst Media for a forthcoming heat report, around 57% of respondents across local authorities, large industrial companies and smaller independent firms said they thought the renewable heat incentive (RHI) was an effective tool for encouraging investment in low carbon heat.

However, 43% said the scheme was ineffective.

Asked why, many cited the scheme’s administrative complexity and stated that the returns were too small for all but the largest plant. Others suggested that the incentive was only sufficient for biomass, and then only with secure access to fuels on the approved list.

By way of example, Rotheray explains that under the Directive, a heat pump facing a waste heat source, while much more efficient, cannot be classified as renewable. If that rule was changed, “you would get a higher system efficiency and lower carbon result,” says Rotheray. “Importantly it would be lower cost for the user. Cost for the user is king.”

For now, “the least efficient solution is the renewable one,” he says. “That has a massive perverse impact on [decarbonising] heat.

To add your views to the report, take the short survey here. If you would like to attend the heat breakfast briefing, held 5 April from 8.15am at the Capital Club, London, click here. Places are limited and allocated first come, first served.